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about Hot Flashes. I saw my PCP last week
and asked her about Paxil (Generic-Paroxetine)
and she said I could try it and she prescribed the
lowest dose to see how I did after the first 24 hours
I am please to report I have not had one sweat or
hot sweat since. It is an Anti-Depressant. I haven't had
any side effects from this which is rare for me.
Check it out - Research. This was really waring on my nerves
so I got a double +.
hugs N love
faithView Thread
http://www.lifemath.net/cancer/breastcancer/therapy/index.phpView Thread
There are two steps to it, the 1st lotion(gel) is to be put on right after your treatment.(before you get dressed) It soothes your burn and feels great! The 2nd lotion is to be put on 3 times a day.(if you can)Good luck.
LukeView Thread
I'm new to this site. I use to join in on the Depression Support Group years ago. But I quit being on there, because it got too hard for me to understand! Duh!.....Have you changed it, to make it easier? This site seems easier then it was 3yrs. ago, but it's still confusing.
I'm a survivor of StageIII Breast Cancer(3cm) I had chemo for 8mo.,to shrink my tumor, then a mastectomy, and last but not least, 6wks. of radiation. My last rad. treatment was 2mo. ago.
I just found this site and I'm still trying to figure it out! I wrote this to ask why a lot of these post are years old? I'm sure there's an explanation, and I just haven't found it yet. Thank you.
LukeView Thread
It's about Laurie Erickson, a local businesswoman, who sells boutique scarves and accessories in North Bend, WA. She also has a special program called "Good Wishes" where you can get one FREE scarf of your choosing. You just have to click on the "Good Wishes" link on the site and browse through the choices, then send them an email or call the toll-free # with your top 2 to 3 choices. In 4-6 weeks you will have your scarf, sooner if the fabric/style is in stock. I got mine in about 3 weeks. It's lovely and has a crystal "fairy" on the tail of it. You also get a personally signed card from all of the employees with their "good wishes".
Here's all you need to do, per the instructions I got by emailing them:
Thank you for contacting us about our Good Wishes program. We will respond personally as quickly as possible and look forward to helping you.
Briefly, the way Good Wishes works is that, when possible, we direct women to our website,www.franceluxe.com , and tell them to click on the Good Wishes logo in the upper right-hand corner of the website. That will take them to a page that describes the program. On this page is a link ("Click here to see examples of our "It's A Wrap") which provides a look at hundreds of fabrics that we offer in either our It's A Wrap or a regular 32" square scarf (not shown on the website). Women, or their friends and loved ones, choosetwo or three fabrics that suit their coloring and style and then contact us by phone (888-884-3653) or e-mail (goodwishes@franceluxe.com ). We then send the first available wrap or scarf directly to these women along with our Good Wishes! If someone does not have access to the internet, we are more than happy to talk with them about their style preferences and select something beautiful for them. We do tell everyone that it may take 4-6 weeks for the scarf to arrive, but could arrive sooner depending upon stock and demand.
I know this is a great idea and a worthwhile venture - they give part of their profits to a breast cancer research foundation into triple-negative breast cancers.
If you have questions, you can email them at goodwishes@franceluxe.com
Hugs,
Nan/PinkLadyView Thread
I ran across this web-site that has so much helpful information.
Cancer.net
It is put out by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. So I feel the information is up-to-date and reliable. It explains how to interpret your pathology report in language we can all understand. Also has a great list of questions to ask each member of your health care team, from your Surgeon to your Oncolgist. Explains treatments---DX testing-- radiation treatments and much more. When you go into the site just put in Breast Cancer in the search window.
It really seems to answer so many questions you ladies are asking about. Hope you find it as helpful as I did.
Blessings
GGrandma JanView Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
(particularly A/C, Taxol and the like) to be plagued by very painful and bothersome mouth sores. Here are some of the methods others have found in dealing with the problem:
During your treatments, liberal intake of ice chips and water helps keep the chemo from accumulating in the mouth. Also, very cold water on you hands and feet are equally effective. Carry a bottle of cold water with you and hold it. (Some chemo centers provide "cold mitts" for hands and cold packs for feet to aid with this problem. Ask about it.)
Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash
Magic Mouthwash
Yogurt
Gargling with warm salt water
Avoid spicy foods and citric acid
Prednisone
Decadron
Carafate (mixture of Diphen, Maalox and Nystatin; cheery flavor Maalox most palatable)
Sucking on popsicles (during trxs and otherwise)
Rinse with baking soda and water
Tom's mouthwash
Smoothies
Avoid alcohol (found in some mouthwashes)
Use plastic utensils rather than metal
Bemylid (mixture of Benadryl, Lidocaine and Mylanta)
Viadent
Prevention mouthwash (specifically marketed for oncology patients; found at Walgreens)
Zel …something (seems to cover and numb though it is uncomfortable initially)
L-Glutamine (an enzyme which is depleted by chemo; said to also be effective with chemo brain)
Lavoris mouthwash
Check with your dentist as well as your cancer doctors.
Use the mouthwashes (both those you swallow and/or "swish and spit") near the time you plan on eating. Though they might work only briefly, you want them most effective so that you can eat!
Some of these remedies that you are instructed to swallow may cause nausea. In that case, consider if simply "swishing" will be the better course.
As chemo can deplete necessary vitamins and nutrients, consult with the dietician at your hospital for suggested diets to supplement these.
If eating is a problem, try supplements such as Ensure and Boost as well as soups and broths.
Speak with a dietician connected with your hospital for recommendations of food that are most often depleted by the chemo. Protein particularly.
Seek out recipe books aimed at cancer patients.
As with everything, make sure you check with your medical team!!
 
Blessings.
Rachael
 
 
View Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
Came across this WebMD article from 2010.
Blessings.
RachaelView Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
I urge all of you to read this article. Notice from the title there are other places one can get lymphedema - not just the arm!
You should be aware of the symptoms especially if you have had radiation.
http://www.stepup-speakout.org/breast_chest_trunckal_lymphedema.htm
JudyView Thread
order free booklets here:
https://www.patientresource.net/catalog.aspx
I WISH I HAD THIS INFO BEFORE MY DIAGNOSIS!!!!
Big love to you and remember this too shall pass!View Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
..........................................................
Paget's Disease: This is a rare form of breast cancer, and is on the outside of the breast, on the nipple and aureole It appeared as a rash, which later became a lesion with a crusty outer edge. I would not have ever suspected it to be breast cancer but it was. My nipple never seemed any different to me, but the rash bothered me, so I went to the doctor for that. Sometimes, it itched and was sore, but other than that it didn't bother me. It was just ugly and a nuisance, and could not be cleared up with all the creams prescribed by my doctor and dermatologist for the dermatitis on my eyes just prior to this outbreak. They seemed a little concerned but did not warn me it could be cancerous.
Now, I suspect not many women out there know a lesion or rash on the nipple or aureole can be breast cancer. (Mine started out as a single red pimple on the aureole. One of the biggest problems with Paget's disease of the nipple is that the symptoms appear to be harmless. It is frequently thought to be a skin inflammation or infection, leading to unfortunate delays in detection and care.)
What are the symptoms?
1. A persistent redness, oozing, and crusting of your nipple causing it to itch and burn (As I stated, mine did not itch or burn much, and had no oozing I was aware of, but it did have a crust along the outer edge on one side.)
2. A sore on your nipple that will not heal. (Mine was on the aureole area with a whitish thick looking area in center of nipple).
3 Usually only one nipple is affected. How is it diagnosed? Your doctor will do a physical exam and should suggest having a mammogram of both breasts, done immediately.. Even though the redness, oozing and crusting closely resemble dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), your doctor should suspect cancer if the sore is only on one breast. Your doctor should order a biopsy of your sore to confirm what is going on.
View Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
BREAST CANCER GUIDELINES
I. Diagnosis
II. Find a Breast Surgeon and/or Plastic Surgeon, and/or Radiation Oncologist
A. Mastectomy (skin and/or nipple sparing mastectomies)
with possible reconstruction at the time of surgery or post operative.
There are different kinds of breast reconstruction using your own
muscles, tissue and skin such as TRAM flap, DIEP flap, SIEA flap,
and Latissimus dorsal with an implant. Reconstruction can also be
done using implants. If that is what you are considering you
might also want to consult with a plastic surgeon prior to surgery to
know your options.
B. Lumpectomy is another option and with this option you have radiation. You might want to consult a Radiation Oncologist prior to surgery to know your options.
1. One option is known as internal radiation (also called brachytherapy) and can be done at the time of the lumpectomy or within a few weeks of the surgery. This is also known as Accelerated Partial Breast Radiation. This is done using a balloon type device that is put in the lumpectomy cavity which allows the radiation to be delivered to the site within catheters. This usually is done twice a day for 5 days. Even though radiation takes place after chemo (should you need chemo), if you wait to consult the radiation oncologist after you finish chemo, you will probably not have the option of doing brachytherapy and will only have the option of external beam radiation.
2. External Beam radiation includes IMRT — Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and 3D-CRT — 3 dimensional conformal radiotherapy.
3. The standard external beam radiation is the one that takes place every weekday for five to seven weeks. Most external beam radiation is done in the supine (face up) position. Definitely ask about having radiation possibly done in the prone (face down) position.
III. Find a Medical Oncologist
A. Chemotherapy is usually done (if needed) after surgery and prior to radiation (adjuvant), sometimes it can be done first (neo-adjuvant) to shrink the tumor. The oncologist might recommend a DNA test be done on the tissue from the tumor to see if you would benefit from chemotherapy. The name of that test is the ONCOTYPE DX test and it determines the % chance of recurrence of your specific type of breast cancer over the next 10 years. You should discuss this with your oncologist to see if this test is feasible for you and if your insurance company will pay for it.
B. Hormone Therapy is prescribed by a medical oncologist if your breast cancer is estrogen/progesterone positive or HERS2 positive
IV. There are many decisions and choices that you may have to consider if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. I would strongly recommend that you discuss these options with your surgeon, plastic surgeon and radiation oncologist prior to your surgery, to help you make the right decision for you. Not all breast cancer patients are candidates for each of the above mentioned options, and not all surgeons are trained to perform these new procedures. So you need to educate yourself so you can ask your doctor questions about these procedures and their ability to perform them. Also these are the treatment procedures as of 2010 and are always changing - so do research to remain up to date on new breast cancer treatments.
JudyView Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
Long ago one of our older members, Mary (where the hecks are you anyway?) Beth told the story of a unique ritual in which she took part. Basically, each individual when faced with a difficult time would select a small stone which fit comfortably in the palm of her hand, and gather friends and family around. Each in turn would take the rock, hold it and tell how he/she had overcome some obstacle in life. Then the stone would pass to the next person...And on and on. When all had a turn, the stone, now filled with healing strengths ranging from humor to faith to patience, would be returned to the patient. Now imbued with the collective strength of a caring support group it became a talisman, a reminder of how we each can overcome more than copuld ever be imagined when caring individuals walk beside us each step of the journey.
This became known as the "WARRIOR STONE"!
Some time later, one of our very special members, Terri Gray, told of something which had happened to her following a chemo treatment. A drug rep visiting the clinic distributed some small stones with inspirational words written in a lovely cursive on each: Joy, Hope, Dreams, Love, etc. Terri was given one and noticed that hers was missing a letter. She mentioned that her "hope" was missing the "e"...So began the search for one which had it written correctly. When none was found in the collection, one with "dream" was handed to he as well.
It wasn't long afterward, however, that someone, bursting with laughter, came running to catch up with her. "Terri! Turn your 'hope' stone upside down! It's not "hope' without an 'e'..It's the word "JOY'!!!"
Terri used that incident to remind us all that sometimes when it seems something is missing in our lives, it might be time to turn it upside down! JOY just might be lurking in a misspelled pebble of hope!!!
From time to time, some of our members do not find solace in anything religious. They ask instead that our good thoughts accompany them as they make their way through difficult times. Our Warrior Stones have become a symbol for these members as well as for all our members of the strength we possess and share with one another. We hold fast to them so that we never forget!!
Blessings.
RachaelView Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
Signed,
AnxiousView Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
http://www.webmd.com/video/free-drug-programs
Recession Means Free RX Drugs for Some (Pfizer, Merck, Abbott, and AzstraZeneca) http://www.webmd.com/news/20090604/recession-means-free-rx-drugs-for-some
Climbing Out from Under Medical Debt (blog)
http://health-insurance-navigator.blogs.webmd.com/2010/11/climbing-out-from-under-medical-debt.html
Donated Dentistry for the Handicapped
http://nfdh.org/joomla_nfdh/content/view/24/47/
Legal Aid
http://www.legal-aid.org/en/home.aspx
Making Home Affordable (saving your home through mortgage modification)
http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/
Few Tips:
See if you can get a generic that is on that list of 300 or so drugs available at Wal*Mart for $4.00 or so for a 30-day supply. Target and Fred Myers chains also have the same program. Check that list and see if any medication you take is on it, and get yours transferred there if it would be cheaper. Also, don't be shy about printing out the list and asking your doctor about it.
Check out the pharmacy at CostCo, a warehouse store which can buy in bulk so their prescription prices are very low. You do not have to be a CostCo member to use their pharmacy.
For dental help, check with your state's dental licensing board for options, as well as any local dental colleges.View Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
I decided to join this group. I am a 38 yr old woman who was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, Dec 10th 2010. I had my bi-lateral mastectomy Jan14th.... and I am doing very well so far in my recovery. I will have to start chemotherapy in approx. 6 weeks.
Is it really as bad as people say? What should I expect? Any helpful hints for me?
I don't have any of my pathology reports yet, wont get the results until Feb 10th. All my scans and xrays were clear though (crossing my fingers that it has not spread anywhere else)
So I would just like to say "Hello" and would love to hear from anyone who wants to talk about their experiences.
<3 Stay Positive! <3 Stay Strong! <3 Fight!!
View Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
FREE/LOW-COST MEDICAL CARE, INCLUDING COUNSELING --
susiemargaret posted: hello, all --here is a list of resources for finding free/low-cost medical care, including counseling. you may have to go thru the entry level with a primary-care dr, but then you can ask to be referred to a counselor or psychiatrist. don't try to tackle all of these at once, or you'll be overwhelmed. check out one or two, see what they say, then check out one or two more.
i welcome any suggestions for additions to this list.
-- susie margaret
-- check out these websites -- http://www.coverageforall.org/finder/index.php , http://www.freeclinics.us/freeclinic.php , http://www.needymeds.org/free_clinics.taf , http://www.findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov , http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/index.php , http://www.pparx.org/en/prescription_assistance_programs/free_clinic_finder , http://community.catholiccharitiesusa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=292&srcid=288 , http://www.211.org , and http://www.copays.org ;
-- check out this website -- http://www.patientadvocate.org/report.php , be sure to click on both national and state organizations;
-- check out the website for the "live united" campaign of the united way -- http://www.liveunited.org -- and use the "search our site" box at the right in the second blue ribbon to do a "search" for your city or state to find medical care programs in your area;
-- call your city, county, or state dept of health and dept of family services (or something that sounds equivalent), and ask if there are free or low-cost clinics in your area;
-- go to the website for your state government, e.g., http:// www.your_state.gov , and click on every social services link you can find;
-- look for free or low-cost clinics at nearby medical schools, divinity schools, large hospitals, and university graduate programs in nursing, social work, or psychology; often students who are close to graduation provide health care under the close supervision of their instructors;
-- see if any hospitals near you have a social worker; often they have very extensive knowledge of their own and other hospital and community resources;
-- call the legal aid office to see if they know of programs for free or low-cost medical care;
-- check with churches, synagogues, and mosques to see if they have someone who does counseling; with many of these, you do not have to be a member, their only concern is that you are a person in need; and
-- check out these websites to determine your eligibility for various govt assistance programs -- https://www.benefitscheckup.org/index.cfm?partner_id=0 , http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=gbcc_page_home&_nfls=false , and http://www.eldercare.gov/Eldercare.NET/Public/Home.aspx .View Thread
Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!
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